Calendar having folding, adjustable date elements slidably receivable in supporting frame



Aug. 24, 1948. H. LATHROP 2,447,807

CALENDAR HAVING FOLDING, ADJUSTABLE DATE ELEMENTS `SLIDABLY RECEIVABLEIN SUPPORTING FRAME Filed April 1o, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR 27Harvey LahfO/O BY ATTRNEY SLIDABLY RE Filed April l0, 1945 GEIVABLE INSUPPORTING FRAME NTS 2 SheeiS-Sheet 2 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAYJUNE '33 5b '55 l 5 `56 5'? @srfg 3- 46 q 2 37 JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBEROCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER 579 1540, j 4A `I'rkZ-IQ ,42,46 a5, 44,

L I u 55' 32 35 r1, .2. 36 57 38 l I l .l I 2/ 3 :5 I6 f7 I 2` 3 4 5 6 78 9 Io II I2 I3 I4 9 I6 II I2 I3 I4 I5 I6 I7 .I8 I9 2o 2| I6 I7 I8 I9 2o2| 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 23306245. 25 26 27 3229 so aI 6.1 6,2 6,3 64 @lllq'lene'v 68 69 go 7J 7,2 7:5 I/ 2 3 4 5 6 7 2 lI 4 5l 6 7 8 9 Io II I2I3 I4 9 Io II I2 I3 dI4 I5 I6 I7 I8 I9 2o 2I I6 I7 I8 I9 2o 2| 22 23 2425 26 27 28 233 24 25 l26 27. 26 29 5o l 77 82 80. 82 INvENToR HalfwegLai/wop Patented Aug. 24, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFiCE CALENDARHjAvING FOLDING, ADJUSTABLE DATE ELEMENTS SLIDABLY RECEIVABLE INSUPPORTING FRAME v'HarveyLathroln ForestHills, N. Y.

Application April 10, 1945, Serial No. 587,515

(Cl. l-119.)

4 Claims.

fMy present invention relates generally to calendars, and`r hasparticular reference to the type of calendar device whichi's-adjustablein such a way that its utility is not limited to anyparticularfperiod of time.

AIna perpetual-calendar ofthe kind to which my invention is primarilyapplicable, a means is provided 'for displaying a month designation inassociation with a series of well-known calendartype columns'in whichvintegers are arranged in weekly sections, i. e., each column having aseries of numbers increasing by increments of seven. Coupled with thesecolumnar markings is a relatively 'fixed heading which designatestheseven days of the week. By adjusting the columnar markings so as tobring then-umher l under or in alignment with a selected 'day of theweek, any desired arrangement of days may be depicted.

This general idea is well-known per se, and the objectives of my presentinvention are directed solely to an improved construction andarrangement of parts whereby a number of new advantages are achieved.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a device which isunusually compact, composed of relatively few and simple structuralelements, easy to adjust in the contemplated fashion, and highlyattractive in appearance. 'More particularly, my invention aims toprovide a device which is substantially flat, hence useful in `a varietyof practical embodiments; and whose manufacture lendsitself readilyitothe employment of numerous different materials of ornamental character.

As in many of the devices heretofore known, the present structurecomprises, in essence,.at least one element which may be dei'nedas adateindicating element, and a supporting frame with which the `elementis adjustably associated. A feature of the present invention resides `inthe provision of this date-indicating element in the form ofhingedly-interconnected sections arranged in side-by-siderelationship,.eachsection being relatively rigid, and each .hinge `beingof such character that any selected'sectiondmay be folded back ilatwiseagainst its adjacentxsection. In'this way, a doubling under of certainselected sections results inr the formationofan adjusted flat unit ofreduced'lengthdisplayingonits eX- posed face only a` selected .group ofsections. Moreover, the hinges'are so constructed that each section.maybe folded back either forwardly or rearwardly, thereby rendering-vihoth :faces luseful to bear date markingsy of the character desired,and.' permittinga relatively large' numbero `dis- 2 play Ivariations tofbe achieved in a relatively small space.

.The lframe of the present device=has a recess adapted snugly to`accomrnodate the Aflat unit referred to, and therecess Ilength ispreferably equal to at leastone-halfthe over-all'length 4of thesectional element,'whe1'eby the latter is at alltimes, and in alladjusted conditions'thereof, of predetermined two-ply thickness, therecess having a corresponding depth.

The 'preferred structureincludes two date-indicating elements, one'fortl-Ie 'month designations', `the other for thefcolumnar-desgnations.Where one or moresuch elements are employed, at least one ofsaidl-el'ementsis composed of separa-te strips "of rigid `flat' stock,andthe hinges are composed of relatively thin flexible `sheet material,interconnecting said strips. Preferably, the sectional element comprisesa ,belt of flexible sheet material with the rigid strpssecured theretoin slightly spaced side-by-side relationshi'p. In oneembodiment, thereis one set of strips securedfto one surface vof the belt, and a` secondregistering set secured to the Iopposite surface thereof. 'In analternativeembodiment, the belt is composed of twoplies secured togetherAalong the `hinge lines and forming pockets beknobs, and otherextraneous-elements of funda-` mentally unattractive character.

`I achieve the foregoing objects and advantages, and such other objectsand advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in themanner illustratively exempliedin the accompanying drawings, inV which:

vFigure lis a perspective View of a calendar device constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

Figure 2is a fragmentary perspective View si-milar to `Figure l, witha-.portion ofthe frame removed toreveal the element ubeneath;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional: view taken substantial-ly alongthe line 3-3 of Figure 1*;

Figure '4 is a .cross-sectional' view taken substantially along the line4,-4 of Figure l;

Figure 5 is an obverse view of the month-designating sectional element;

Figure 6 is a reverse view of the same;

Figure 7 is an edge view of the same;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of said element shown in an adjustedposition different from that of Figures 1-3 Figure 9 is an obverse viewof the main sectional element;

Figure 10 is a reverse view thereof; and

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view through a modified type of sectionalelement.

'In the embodiment herein chosen for illustration, a substantiallyrectangular frame 20 is adapted to accommodate the two adjustablesectional elements 2| and 22, the former being shown by itself inFigures 9 and 10, the latter being shown by itself in Figures 5-8.

The frame may be composed of any suitable rigid material, such asplastic, Wood, metal, or the like, and it may assume a variety ofdifferent structural forms. Merely for illustrative purposes, I haveshown the frame composed of a back wall 23, and thickenedforwardly-extending margins 24, and 26, the margin 25 being arrangedalong the bottom edge of the frame, and the margins 24 and 26 beingarranged along the sides. These margins are provided with aninwardlyfacing groove 2'| which defines a recess of predetermined depthwithin which the sectional elements 2| and 22 are accommodated. Accessto the recess is afforded through the upper edge portion of the frame,and after the parts are in the relationship shown in Figure 2, aseparable frame portion 28 is inserted downwardly through the upperportion of the device. The frame portion 28 has lateral projections 29which flt into the grooves 21, yand a face portion provided with arecess 30. The frame portion 28 is also provided with the fixeddesignations 3|, representing the seven days of the week.

The sectional element 22 is composed of a web or belt 32 (seeparticularly Figure 7) which may be of any suitable relatively thinilexible material such as fabric or the like. Secured to one face ofthis belt are a series of relatively rigid strips 33--38 arranged inslightly spaced side-by-side relationship. Secured to the opposite faceof the belt 32 are a corresponding series of rigid strips 39-44, thestrip pairs being respectively in registry so that the resultant elementis composed of hingedly-connected rigid sections. The portions of thebelt 32 which lie between the rigid sections of the element are hinges,and are of such a character that each section may be freely folded backto lie flatwise against the adjacent section. Moreover, this adjustmentis possible either forwardly or rearwardly, so that both surfaces of thesectional element may be employed for the reception of suitable datemarkings. The markings on the element 22 are the twelve months of theyear, as shown most clearly in Figures 5 and 6.

As illustrations of the varied adjustability of this element, attentionis directed to a comparison lof Figures 2 and 8. In Figure 2, thesection bearing the strip 33 has been folded back rearwardly along thehinge line 45, and the section bearing the strip 31 has been folded backalong the hinge line 46, thus forming a two-ply ilat unit in which thestrips 34, and 36 are exposed for- Wardly.

In Figure 8, on the other hand, the parts have been adjusted alongdifferent hinge lines so that the strips 38, 33 and 34 are exposedforwardly.

By similar adjustments, any desired strip may be centrally positioned inthe resultant flat unit, and may thus be caused to show through theaperture 30. Obviously, if the aperture 30 is laterally positioned,rather than in the central disposition shown, a correspondinglydifferent month designation will show through. In any case, any desiredmonth may be caused to show through the aperture 3U, and in eachadjusted condition of the sectional element, the six sections arearranged in the compact relationship shown. This compacted unit, it willbe observed, is of reduced length with respect to the over-al1 length ofthe sectional element (Figures 5-7), and thev recess in the frame is ofsuch a length that it will snugly accommodate this unit.

The other sectional element 2|, shown most clearly in Figures 3, 9 and10, is similarly constructed, except that the rigid strips are elongatedin a vertical direction, and bear number designations in well-knowncolumnar fashion. More particularly, a belt 41 of relatively thinflexible sheet material is secured to a series of rigid strips 48460mounted on its front face in slightly spaced side-by-side relationship,and carries on its rear face a second set of registering rigid stripslil-13. This results, as before, in forming a series of adjacent rigidsections interconnected by hinges Which permit any selected section tobe folded down, either forwardly or rearwardly, into ilatwiserelationship to the adjacent section.

In adjusting the element 2| to fit the frame 20, s, selected group ofseven adjacent sections is caused to face forwardly, and the properselection depends upon the month which is sought to be depicted. Forexample, if the month has thirtyone days and the first of the monthfalls on a Sunday, the sections 54--60 are exposed forwardly, the othersix sections being folded rearwardly along the hinge line 'i4 (Figure 9)to lie in a rearward layer. Or, if the month has thirty days, and thefirst of the month falls on a Monday, the sections (i6-l2 will be causedto face forwardly, the other sections being folded rearwardly along thehinge lines 15 and 16 respectively (see Figure l0.) In the particularmonth depicted in Figures 1-3, it is the sections 50--56 which aredirected forwardly, the remaining sections lying in the rear as shownmost clearly in Figure 3.

Here, too, it will be observed, the resultant flat unit is of reducedlength with respect to the overall length of the sectional element(Figures 9-10) and the recess in the frame has a length adapted toaccommodate this unit.

In the illustrated device, the adjustment of the parts is accomplishedby removing the frame portion 28, removing the sections 2| and 22,adjusting the section 2| into the desired two-ply relationship andreinserting it endwise into the frame, adjusting the section 22 into thedesired two-ply relationship and inserting it into the frame, and thenfinally replacing the frame portion 28. This having been accomplished,the device presents to view a flat and compact calendar for the selectedmonth, and may be supported on any suitable base or prop, or may lieflat on a table or other support. Because of its neatly at nature, itmay be readily associated with other accessories, as a desk pad, or thelike. By virtue of the present structural design, the various rigidpanels may be composed of highly polished plastic, metal, or otherornamental material, thus not necessarily requiring any protectivecover.

Needless to say, the frame may be constructed in a variety of ways otherthan that shown herein.

As an alternative way of constructing one or both of the adjustablesectional strips, I have shown in Figure 11 the possibility of employinga belt composed of the two plies 'l1 and 18. These two plies are ofrelatively thin flexible sheet material, are secured together along thehinge lines 19, 80, 8|, etc., and form pockets between the hinge lineswithin which rigid strips 82 may be `accommodated. In this case, therigid strips 82 are not exposed to view, and may be composed of lessexpensive, non-ornamental material, while the belt material will bechosen for its ornamental value. This material may be, for example,ornamental leather, flexible plastic, a suitable fabric, or the like.

The securement of the strips to the belt material, both in the formshown in Figure 7 and that shown in Figure l1, may be achieved byadhesive means or otherwise, as may be desired. Along the hinge lines ofFigure 11, the two plies 'of the belt may be secured together byadhesive means, by stitching, or otherwise.

It will thus be observed that I have provided a so-called perpetualcalendar device which is devoid of unattractive bulkiness, which isunusually compact and attractive, and which lends itself admirably tothe employment of various ornamental materials which contribute to anover-al1 appearance which is pleasing and of esthetic value.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an adjustable calendar device, a monthindicating elementcomprising a series of hingedly-connected rigid sections bearingdifferent month markings thereon, the hinges being of such characterthat any section may be folded back to lie natwise against its adjacentsection, whereby the doubling-under of selected sections will form anadjusted at unit of reduced length displaying on its exposed face only aselected group of month markings, a supporting frame comprising a rearwall and grooved side walls, said fiat unit being removably insertableendwise into said grooves, for snug accommodation in the region betweenthem, and a removable shield adapted to overlie said accommodated unitand provided with an aperture revealing only one of said month markings.

2. In an adjustable calendar device, a monthindicating elementcomprising a series of hingedly-connected rigid sections bearing differlent month markings thereon, the hinges being of such character that anysection may be folded back to lie atwise against its adjacent section,whereby the doubling-under of selected sections will form an adjustedflat unit of reduced length displaying on its exposed face only aselected group of month markings, a supporting frame comprising a rearwall and grooved side walls, said at unit being removably insertableendwise into said grooves, for snug accommodation in the region betweenthem, and a removable shield adapted to overlie said accommodated unitand provided with an aperture revealing only one of said month markings,said hinges allowing each section to be folded back either rearwardly orforwardly, whereby both surfaces of said sectional element may be usedfor said month markings, said element comprising six sections and saidrecess having a depth equal to at least twice the thickness of eachsection and having a length equal to half the over-all length of saidsectional element.

3. In an adjustable calendar device, a dateindicating element comprisinga series of hingedly-connected vertically elongated rigid sectionsarranged in side-by-side adjacence and bearing calendar-type successivecolumns of integers, each section bearing on its face only a singlecolumn of said integers, the hinges being of such character that anysection may be folded back to lie flatwise against its adjacent sectionwhereby seleted sections may be doubled under to form a at unitdisplaying on its exposed face a selected group of at least sevenadjacent columns, and a supporting frame comprising a rear wall andgrooved side walls, said at unit being removably insertable endwise intosaid grooves for snug accommodation in the region between them withseven of said columns forwardly exposed to view.

4. In an adjustable calendar device, a pair of date-indicating elementseach of which comprises a series of hingedly-connected rigid sections,the sections of one of said elements bearing different month markingsthereon, the sections of the other of said elements bearing calendartypecolumns of integers, there being one column on each section, the hingesof each of said elements being of such character that any section may befolded back to lie flatwise against its adjacent section, whereby thedoubling-under of selected sections of each element will form twoadjusted flat units of reduced length, one unit displaying on itsexposed face only a selected group of month markings, the other unitdisplaying on its exposed face only a selected group of seven adjacentcolumnar markings, a common supporting frame having opposed groovesadapted to snugly accommodate said adjusted flat units in side-by-siderelation, and a removable shield adapted to overlie the accommodatedunit bearing month markings and provided with an aperture revealing onlyone of said month markings, said shield bearing a row of symbolsdesignating the seve-n days of the week and arranged in alignment,respectively, with said seven exposed columnar markings.

HARVEY LATHROP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 209,122 Hibbard Oct. 22, 1878687,425 Dill Nov. 26, 1901 726,979 OMara May 5, 1903 865,871 Cox Sept.10, 1907 1,429,096 Pethick Sept. 12, 1922 1,494,792 Lichter May 21, 19241,527,382 Snyder Feb. 24, 19-25 2,126,538 Dencklau Aug. 9, 1938 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 848,522 France Jan. 6, 1939 137,394 GermanyOct. 31, 1901

